Event Summary

On March 19, Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley, Nicole Neily of Parents Defending Education, and Derrell Bradford of 50CAN joined AEI’s Frederick M. Hess and Michael Q. McShane to discuss how conservatives can lead in K–12 education and make meaningful progress on addressing contemporary challenges.

The conversation drew heavily from Dr. Hess and Dr. McShane’s new book, Getting Education Right: A Conservative Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College. Dr. Brumley described ways to identify conservative education reforms in challenging political environments. Ms. Neily noted how the breakdown of a social contract between parents and schools—and between students and teachers—has contributed to a rise in distracting behaviors in the classroom. Mr. Bradford discussed how pandemic-era school closures contributed to current issues of chronic absenteeism among students and teachers. Finally, Dr. McShane spoke about the implementation of education savings accounts in states and how they create meaningful change.

The event concluded with questions from the audience.

Event Description

In recent years, school closures, rampant classroom misbehavior, and declining test scores have erased the Democratic Party’s historical lead on education. As a frustrated public seeks a more promising way forward, how can conservatives best answer that call?

In this webinar, AEI’s Frederick M. Hess and Michael Q. McShane are joined by Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley, Nicole Neily of Parents Defending Education, and 50CAN’s Derrell Bradford to discuss how conservatives can lead on K–12 education. Drawing on ideas from Dr. Hess’s and Dr. McShane’s new book, Getting Education Right: A Conservative Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College, the panel will sketch an outline of K–12 education reform unencumbered by the groupthink and political constraints that hamper even farsighted progressives.

Event Materials

Frederick M. Hess and Michael Q. McShane: Getting Education Right: A Conservative Vision for Improving Early Childhood, K–12, and College

Agenda

4:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks:
Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

4:05 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Derrell Bradford, President, 50CAN
Cade Brumley, State Superintendent, Louisiana
Michael Q. McShane, Adjunct Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Nicole Neily, President, Parents Defending Education

Moderator:
Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute

4:50 p.m.
Q&A

5:15 p.m.
Adjournment